Koláče (Kolache)

Kolache (koláče) is a Czech pastry filled with raspberry, apricot, poppy seed or cottage cheese. 19th-century Czech immigrants to America introduced kolache to Texas, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Nebraska. Many restaurants and bakeries specialize in Kolache and there is even a Houston-based fast-food franchise called The Kolache Factory.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 1/4-oz packages active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110 deg F)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup melted shortening
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 egg yolks
• 3 tbsp white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 cups cottage cheese

Preparation:

1. Pour yeast into 1/2 cups of lukewarm water. Set aside to soak.
2. In a separate bowl mix together 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt. Add 1/2 cup melted shortening and 2 cups sifted flour. Beat well. Add in 2 beaten eggs and yeast mixture and mix well. Set aside to rest until bubbly and spongy.
3. Add 3 1/2 cups of flour and blend well. Set aside to rise for 1 hour. Punch down and let rise again for 1 hour.
4. To Make Filling: beat together 2 egg yolks, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons flour and 1 cup of raisins. Add cottage cheese and mix well.
5. Pinch off 1 inch balls from dough and press an indentation in the center of each. Put filling in. Let rise 15 minutes, then bake at 425 deg F (220 deg C) until golden - 12-18 minutes.
6. YIELD: 48 kolache